Electronic Publishing for
Cultural Heritage Studies

Experience of the organisers

The Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences organized a series of international fora in the field of applications of information technologies to the mediæval studies:

• Summer school Digital Preservation of Mediæval Manuscripts and Early Printed Books, 1999
• Summer school Applications of IT to Biblical Studies, 1998
• UNESCO workshop Text Variety in the Witnesses of Medieval Manuscripts, 1997

Feedback from participants in prior events

It was quite difficult to believe that the computers are the right solution to preserve manuscripts. I am much more of a programmer than a linguist, so it was very interesting for me to see the problem from the other side (the linguistic one).
Pavel Zavora, Czech Republic, participant in the 1999 Summer School

The courses marked new directions such as project management, costs etc. ... for me. After I finish my old jobs, I'll start with the digitising of some collections. In fact I have to prepare some people for the scanning of the documents. I think I'll use Dr. Adolf Knoll's method for the bibliographic description.
Marinela Covaci, Romania, participant in the 1999 Summer School

What I learned...well, I am a Slavic philologist who deals with computers as well, trying to use them in the Slavic field where they are staring to be used right now. I cannot program, I don't know in details what I can do with a computer. What is important for a philologist is to know what is possible to do. Only after that it will be possible for him to ask for something. Knowing the computer's possibilities means to know where to start from and how to develop them, knowing their limits too, and I think that's the only way in which a computer programmer and a philologist can cooperate.
Monia Camuglia, Italy, participant in the 1999 Summer School

Dear Milena
Thank you for your wonderful hospitality whilst I was in Sofia. Congratulations again to you and Serguey on the fine job you have done with your summer school. The two of you are such good role models for the region in terms of showing so much initiative! Once again, many thanks for the great time in Sofia and I do hope to see you again soon.
Michael Kay, OSI, resource person at the 1999 summer school

Dear Milena, Serguey,
Also from me and my wife our warmest thanks for your great hospitality, the excellent organisation and the wonderful experience, and our best wishes to your staff.
Martin Doerr, lecturer in the 1999 Summer School

Thank you very much for your message with the direction to the Web site for the Summer School. I was successful in getting access to it and read it with great interest. I admire the program you put together - the issues addressed by the summer school are very much on target and you also were successful in arranging for an impressive group of faculty.
Hans Rutimann, CLIR, about the 1999 Summer School